How to Achieve a Limewashed Finish Using Cerusing Wax, Glazed Over & One Step Paint

March 22 2025, by Ryan Casuga, 6 min reading time

A Step-by-Step Tutorial with Lyonella Cook

If you love the charm of vintage oak, antique buffets, or that classic whitewashed wood finish, you’ll want to get familiar with cerusing—a centuries-old technique that's back in a big way. In this Finish Friday tutorial, Lyonella Cook walks you through how to apply Cerusing Wax for a beautifully aged look using Amy Howard at Home products.

Whether you're working with oak, walnut, pine, or even mahogany, this blog post will guide you through exactly how to prep, glaze, wax, and finish your piece like a pro.

🌿 What Is Cerusing Wax?

Cerusing (or “serusing”) dates back to the days of Queen Elizabeth I, when it was used to protect wood and deter insects. It’s a technique that highlights the grain of the wood by applying a white or tinted wax after the surface has been opened up, giving a soft, washed-out, vintage effect that enhances the natural beauty of the wood.

🛠 What You’ll Need:

• Clean Slate – to thoroughly prep your surface

• Glazed Over – for creating a glaze that softens red or yellow wood tones

• One Step Paint in Dearborne – used to tint your glaze

  • If you are working with red oak, use a green-based white or mix Ballet White with a dab of green One Step Paint to counter the red tones in the wood.

    This example is walnut, which tends to have a brown to slightly red undertone, so I used a cool, blue-toned white to soften it.

    For very yellow pines, use a purple- or violet-based white to help neutralize the yellow.

• Cerusing Wax – the star of the show

• Chip Brushes & Rags – keep several on hand

• Steel Wool Brush – for opening the grain on oak or walnut

• Optional: Mind Your Own Beeswax – to remove excess wax or polish after finishing

🧼 Step 1: Clean Your Piece Thoroughly

Start by using Clean Slate and a rag to remove any wax, grease, or old finishes from your wood. This step is especially important if you're working with red or dark-toned woods like mahogany or walnut.

🪵 Step 2: Open the Grain

Use a steel wool brush and move with the grain to open up the wood fibers. This is critical for oak and walnut, as it allows the glaze and wax to penetrate and highlight the texture of the grain.

After brushing, clean again with Clean Slate to remove loose wood particles.

🎨 Step 3: Mix & Apply Your Glaze

To neutralize red, orange, or yellow tones in your wood, mix a custom glaze using:

• 1 part One Step Paint (Dearborne)

• 1 part Glazed Over

• 3 parts Water

• Optional: Tint your glaze using other One Step Paint colors depending on your wood undertone

  • Use Blue to cancel orange or yellow

  • Use Green for red woods

  • Use Purple for yellow pine

Mix thoroughly for 2–3 minutes until fully blended.

Apply the Glaze:

• Brush on with the grain in small sections (it dries fast!)

• Use a clean rag to wipe off excess, going with the grain

• Let dry completely

• Repeat for a deeper toned effect if desired

🕯 Step 4: Apply Cerusing Wax

Once your glaze is dry:

1. Apply Cerusing Wax directly to a rag (never to the wood)

2. Rub the wax against the grain in sweeping motions

3. Wipe away excess with the grain using a clean rag

4. Let it come to tack (about 15–20 minutes)

Want more texture or contrast? Add another layer of wax for a deeper finish. If you apply too much, remove it with clear beeswax or Mind Your Own Beeswax.

🧽 Step 5: Optional Buffing

Once the wax is dry and cured, you can use steel wool or a buffing cloth to polish the surface. Focus on raised areas, corners, and spots that would naturally wear with time.

🌳 Cerusing Different Types of Wood

✅ Walnut – Beautiful grain, easy to open. Dearborn glaze + cerusing wax gives it a lighter oak look.
✅ Mahogany – Use green pigment to neutralize brassiness. Tight grain, so work in the wax carefully.
✅ Oak – The best candidate! Open grain gives strong contrast and vintage texture.
✅ Pine – New pine can be very yellow; use blue glaze to tone it down and wax to soften.

✨ Pro Tip: Always wipe your brush before dipping back into your glaze to avoid color contamination.

🖼 Before & After: The Transformation

By using this method, you’ll go from outdated, yellowed, or red-toned wood to a gorgeous, neutral, and timeless finish. It's a non-toxic, reversible, and antique-friendly technique that allows the original character of the piece to shine through—without harsh chemicals or bleaching.

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